His 60% FT shooting continues to be a drag on his production. We know he knows and no doubt he's shot 1000's of FTs - but just hasn't found the right stroke. Having an otherwise nice season for GTown. Hope Cooley can get some talent around him and get some wins, next year.
When does the MAAC Tourney begin and when does it end?
Tournament starts with the PIG round Tuesday, March 12 (hope the Stags FINALLY avoid this ignominious distinction), followed by the rest of the event playing out and ending on Saturday, the 16th. Our team has shown in the recent past that they can win three games (2018, 2021), but unfortunately that wasn't good enough to win the title. So this year avoid the PIG which would make winning three the realistic goal and therefore actually being labeled as Champs of the MAAC, something which hasn't happened since 1997 (as we all know).
18.3 seconds left in regulation, down 3 with one timeout remaining and this is what Villanova runs???
I watched it live, and certainly it reflects the drop off in efficiency which Villanova has suffered from since the retirement of Jay Wright a couple of years ago. A couple of thoughts on this specific action however: while the Wildcats probably were looking for a 3 pointer to tie the game, the fact is they had about 18 seconds to do whatever they were going to do plus they had a timeout in their pocket to boot. So a drive to the basket to get 2 points wouldn't have been a terrible thing, especially if it caused the defense to collapse and therefore set up a pitch-back for a 3. But the truth is you can set up any play you want but as we know quite often that play breaks down based on how the opposition defenses it. Therefore it is up to the players to make a play based on instinct or if that looks like it isn't going to work, the coach, in this case Kyle Neptune, has to make the quick decision to use the TO in his pocket to set up something new in the huddle. Since neither happened, Villanova, a team fighting for their tournament lives, lost a back-breaking contest that they really needed. Anyway it was indeed wild considering the Wildcats never even got off a shot as time ran out.
Last Edit: Feb 8, 2024 10:24:23 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
MSM hangs on to win at home 96-79 over QU. MSM now with a 4 game win streak. Bobcats fall to 11-2 in the MAAC and Stags have sole possession of 2nd place at 9-4. Marist with a 15 point win at Rider and Siena wins at Manhattan.
Back in May Pitino was complimenting the 11 quality athletes that were added to the St. John’s roster. Now, he’s listing, in the last quote in the post above, players who are slow laterally. I guess someone has to be blamed when you’re in 9th place in an 11 team league. Not sure if blaming his players is going to change their lateral quickness much the remainder of this season.
The Athletic has an article about his postgame tirade, which includes this observation: It’s reminiscent of Pitino’s famous “Larry Bird is not walking through that door” rant when he was coach of the Boston Celtics — even though he was responsible for most of that roster too.